Defending champions Italy came from behind to defeat Ukraine in the semi-final on Friday and advance to the final for a 3rd straight year on a dramatic day at the 2025 Billie Jean King Cup by Gainbridge Finals in Shenzhen.
It was amazing, really amazing. I don’t know how I turned around this match, but I did it. I stayed there in all the points. This time I was luckier than her, maybe. The last time [at Roland Garros] I lost with match point. It’s tennis, it happens. This time I’m happy I stayed there, and I tried to find solution to beat her. I think she’s a very great player, a strong player. Every time, it’s a fight against her. Jasmine Paolini
Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk eased to victory against Elisabetta Cocciaretto to put Ukraine 1-0 up, and Elina Svitolina went a set and a break ahead in her match against Jasmine Paolini to leave the Ukrainians on the brink of a first appearance in the BJK Cup final.
Paolini, though, fought back to keep Italian hopes alive, recovering to beat Svitolina in 3 sets send the tie into the decisive doubles rubber, in which she was joined by her regular doubles partner Sara Errani, recording a straight-sets win against Kostyuk & Lyudmyla Kichenok to send the team into Sunday’s final.
Errani & Paolini proved too much for the Ukrainians, winning through 6-2 6-3 to become the first nation to reach 3 consecutive Billie Jean King Cup finals since Czechia in 2016.
“It’s an unbelievable moment,” said Italy Captain Tathiana Garbin. “The girls have shown how to fight, how to give your heart for your country, and show pride in being in the final. They have shown real unity.
“I like having these girls with me. They fight for every ball and every time they wear the national jacket, they put in extra on court. It’s an historic moment for Italian tennis. Today they showed how strong they are when they have a dream.”
Marta Kostyuk put Ukraine 1-0 up with an emphatic win against Elisabetta Cocciaretto
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In the opening singles match, Kostyuk outplayed Cocciaretto, 6-2 6-3, to win her 10th Billie Jean King Cup singles match in 13 outings, and putting Ukraine ahead.
A break of serve in the opening game gave Kostyuk an immediate advantage, and she repeated the feat 4 games later to claim the first set in just 41 minutes.
The Ukrainian displayed the same power in the second, which was inevitably a little closer, but the 23-year-old had more than enough in hand to fire her nation into a position of strength.
Jasmine Paolini came back from the brink to keep Italy’s hopes alive on Friday in the BJK Cup semi-finals, when she beat Elina Svitolina in 3 sets
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Svitolina, the World No 3, followed with equal poise and determination, and, for long periods, everything was pointing towards a Ukrainian triumph, but the irrepressible 29-year-old Paolini hauled the defending champions level by snatching the win from the jaws of defeat.
Earlier, Svitolina had squandered the chance to hand her country an unassailable 2-0 lead in the tie and the opportunity to fight for their maiden trophy on Sunday after she went down 3-6 6-4 6-4 to an inspired Paolini.
The 31-year old Ukrainian broke the Italian in the 3rd game of their contest with some aggressive hitting from the baseline, and took the opening set with a sizzling backhand winner to leave 5-times champions Italy on the ropes.
Paolini responded by breaking early in the second set, but Svitolina took control from there and was a point away from a 5-2 advantage, before losing her way again with a flurry of uncharacteristic errors to surrender the set.
Having levelled the clash, Paolini fought fiercely to hold in an 8-deuce game early in the decider, and went ahead 4-2 before Svitolina clawed her way back, but the determined Italian would not be denied as she raised her level again to prevail.
The irrepressible Jasmine Paolini spearheaded Italy’s win over Ukraine on Friday
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Paolini, who won Olympic Gold partnering Errani in Paris last year and the French Open doubles title in June, said that she was confident heading into the deciding contest, despite playing for 2 hours and 25 minutes.
“We’ve been playing doubles together for the last two years, more or less every tournament,” Paolini said.
Paolini, the World No 8, who spearheaded her nation’s charge to the 2024 title, had stared down the barrel of defeat against Svitolina, trailing by a set and 2-4 down before a crucial break of serve breathed fresh life into the contest, and stoked a stunning fight-back with a run of 4 straight games.
“It was amazing, really amazing,” said Paolini. “I don’t know how I turned around this match, but I did it. I stayed there in all the points. This time I was luckier than her, maybe. The last time [at Roland Garros] I lost with match point.
“It’s tennis, it happens. This time I’m happy I stayed there, and I tried to find solution to beat her. I think she’s a very great player, a strong player. Every time, it’s a fight against her.
“I have to thank the bench – the captain and everyone who was there trying to push me through the match. I’m really happy that we managed to win this tie.”
The BJK Cup semi-final came down to the doubles between Lyudmyla Kichenok & Marta Kostyuk of Ukraine and Sara Errani & Jasmine Paolini of Italy
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Errani & Paolini’s triumph in the doubles at the expense of trailblazing Ukraine, has made them the toast of Italy, again.
Facing Kostyuk & Kichenok, they broke early for a 3-0 lead before closing out the first set, 6-2, their greater experience paying off.
Although the Ukrainians jumped ahead 3-1 in the second, the Italians reeled off 5 straight games to complete the win in front of the sizeable crowd of Italian fans, who remained in their seats until close to midnight in southeastern China.
“Today the crowd was amazing. We had the support of all these guys, the Italian fans. We enjoyed a lot playing in this competition,” said Errani. “It was a tough day for Jasmine. She’s doing an incredible job. It’s not easy to play doubles after a tough singles match, but she’s so strong.
“I’m really happy to have her as my doubles partner.
“It’s good to have doubles as well in the Billie Jean King Cup. We enjoy playing doubles a lot and we enjoy playing in this competition. She has won this competition four times. She loves the tournament.
“I have to thank the team for supporting us … and also the fans. They were amazing.
“We just want to enjoy the final on Sunday. It’s amazing to play this competition. The expectation that I have is that all the fans come back and cheer for us.”
Up next for Italy is either the United States, who will seek a record-extending 19th title in the event previously called the Fed Cup, or 4-times runners-up Great Britain, with those two teams playing the other semi-final on Saturday.
Day 4 Results
Italy defeated Ukraine 2-1
- Marta Kostyuk (UKR) d. Elisabetta Cocciaretto (ITA) 6-2 6-3
- Jasmine Paolini (ITA) d. Elina Svitolina (UKR) 3-6 6-4 6-4
- Sara Errani/Jasmine Paolini (ITA) d. Lyudmyla Kichenok/Marta Kostyuk (UKR) 6-2 6-3
